Government failing to uphold duty to prevent genocide by allowing US military in Shannon, court hears
Gordon Deegan
By allowing Shannon Airport to be used as a transit point for the US military, the Government of Ireland has failed to uphold its duty to prevent genocide.
It is according to Pro-Palestinian activist, Emily Cathcart (23), who made her comment to Det Garda Colm Moriarty after charge and caution before Ennis District Court on Wednesday.
Ms Cathcart of North View, Knocknagin Rd, Balbriggan, Co Dublin along with two co-accused, Kaspar Aiden Cantwell Strattra (23) and Conán Kavanagh (23) were each charged with entering the apron area and Taxi 11 of Shannon airport on November 22nd last and causing the closure of the airport, contrary to Section 47 of the Air Navigation and Transport (Amendment) Act.
In giving evidence of arrest, charge and caution of the three before Ennis District Court today, Det Moriarty told the court that Ms Cathcart told him after caution “By allowing Shannon airport to be used as a transit point for the US military, the Government of Ireland has failed to uphold its duty to prevent genocide under the Genocide Convention making the Irish State complicit in genocide and that is a crime that concerns all Irish citizens made complicit by extension”.
Det Moriarty said that Mr Kavanagh of New Cabra Rd, Dublin 7, and St Joseph’s Drive, Montenotte, Cork in response to the new charge and caution replied: “I maintain that I did not break any laws but acted a peace officer upholding the Irish constitution and Genocide convention.”
Det Moriarty said that Kaspar Aiden Cantwell Strattra of Manorlands Crescent, Trim, Co Meath, replied “Saoirse don Phalaistín” (“Freedom for Palestine”) after charge and caution before court.
Sgt John Burke told the court that the new charge against each of the three replaces a trespass charge that the three were first charged with last November.
Sgt Burke said that the DPP has directed that the case go forward to Ennis Circuit Court on indictment, and a Book of Evidence will be required.
In the incident, the three are facing charges from an incident at the airport on Saturday, November 22nd, where members of the Defence Forces tasked to protect a US military aircraft at Shannon airport drew their weapons briefly in response to an alleged airport incursion by the three.
The three are also charged with the criminal damage of the main body of a Boeing 737-700 belonging to the US Navy Reserve and of a Shannon airport airside vehicle barrier at Shannon airport on November 22nd.
At a contested bail hearing the day after the incident on November 23rd last, Det Moriarty told the court that a US military aircraft parked overnight allegedly sustained criminal damage when spray-painted with green paint from a modified fire extinguisher on top of a modified van in a taxi area on the airfield.
Det Garda Moriarty said that the Defence Forces personnel near the US Navy aircraft “had their weapons drawn briefly until the situation was under control.”
He said that the airport had to be shut down for 30 minutes, and one incoming aircraft was placed in a holding pattern before the airport could reopen.
The three secured bail after their parents posted independent sureties to the court.
In court today, Judge Valerie Corcoran further remanded the three on bail to May 6th to Ennis District Court for the serving of a Book of Evidence.
